débourser

to pay out, to shell out

verb deh-boor-SEH Rare

Origin: French 'dé-' (out) + 'bourse' (purse)

Usage Note

Débourser implies reluctantly spending money, often a large or unexpected sum. Unlike payer, it stresses the act of handing over cash. A common phrase is sans débourser un centime ('without spending a penny').

Examples

"Il a dû débourser mille euros pour la réparation."

Natural Translation

He had to shell out a thousand euros for the repair.

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